Olympic Swimmer Katie Hoff Will Light the Torch at the 2024 Big Sky State Games

Olympic Medalist Swimmer, Katie Hoff will be the special guest athlete at the 39th Annual Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 19 at Daylis Stadium in Billings, MT. Hoff is an eight-time World Champion, three-time World Record Holder, two-time Olympian and three-time Olympic Medalist in Swimming.

Hoff is still the current American Record Holder in 400 IM, a record that continues to hold up for 16 years and counting.  At age 15, Hoff represented the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing she was awarded a Silver in the 400 Meter Freestyle, Bronze in 400 Meter Individual Medley and Bronze in the 4 X 200 meter Free Relay

Hailed as the 'female Michael Phelps,' she withstood tremendous pressure and emerged from years of effort with valuable lessons learned on what it takes to power through bitter disappointment and succeed at the highest levels.

Hoff’s swimming career began in Virginia and Maryland.  Due to her success in the pool, she made news in 2006 by signing a ten year endorsement deal with Speedo.   Hoff retired in 2015 from health issues.  Hoff shares her story through speaking engagements, a podcast called Unfiltered Waters and is a best-selling author of Blueprint: An Olympian's Story of Striving, Adapting, and Embracing the Suck.  She currently lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, Todd Anderson, a pro football player, who together with Hoff have engaged in several high performance and wellness ventures.

Registration is now open for Big Sky State Games summer events.  Most events take place July 19-21. Register by July 1st for best price and guaranteed t-shirt.   Spring events are taking place the month of April: DanceSports, April 13, Disc Golf Field Games, April 14, Curling, April 19-21 and Swimming, April 28.

Wendy’s sponsors Opening Ceremonies. Major sponsors of the Big Sky State Games are Kampgrounds of America, First Interstate Bank, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. For more information go to bigskygames.org or call (406) 254-7426.